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(N0 Model.)

B. A. RIC H. MOISTENING DEVICE FUR CIGAR -BOXES. No. 512,219.

' Patented Jan. '2, 1894.

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ATENT EMANUEL A. RICH, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

MOISTENING DEVICE FOR CIGAR-BOXES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 512,219, dated January 2, 1894.

Application filed September 25, 1393. Serial No. 486,455. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMANUEL A. RICH, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in M oistening Devices for Cigar- Boxes, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

My invention relates to that class of inventions known as moistening devices, and which are employed in cigar boxes and tobacco cases for the purpose of exhaling a sufficient degree of moisture within such receptacle to preserve the contents in a suitable condition for use.

The object of my invention is to providea device of the nature described of a simple form and cheap construction, and possessing convenient means whereby said device may be charged and recharged with moisture without necessarily removing the device for this purpose.

With these ends in view my invention consists of the following parts and combination of parts, as willbe fully described hereinafter, and pointed out specifically in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective elevation of a cigar box showing my moistener applied thereto, the cigar box lid being shown in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the moistening device, a portion of said device and the upper sheets of blotting, used as absorbent material, being broken away to show the moisture tube inserted therein. Fig. 3 is a detail view of one of the moisture tubes. Fig. 4 is a perspective plan view of a modified form of construction of the moistening device. Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. at. Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 2.

A represents an ordinary cigarbox containing therein against one end, the moistening device 13. Said device B is formed preferably of a sheet of metal 0. having its edges turned over and embracing a sheet of perforated metal b. The edges of the sheet a are secured together at the corners c by soldering, or by other convenient means, and said sheets a I) thus form a receptacle in which is contained an absorbent material of any suitable nature. The absorbent material which I prefer to employ consists of several sheets of blotting paper cl efg. The two inner sheets ef have longitudinal portions cut therefrom at either end, as seen at h 2', Figs. 2 and 6. The edges of the blotting paper, where cut to form a recess for the perforated tubes, mayif desired to be serrated, as shown at j, thereby presenting a larger surface for the reception of moisture, enabling saturation to be performed more rapidly. Perforated tubes is are placed within the spaces thus formed in the thicknesses of blotting paper, and the inner ends of said tubes are flattened to reduce the openings. It is not absolutely necessary to flatten the ends of said tubes, but I prefer to do so, as by this means the openings at the inner ends of the tubes are reduced,thus better serving the purpose of my invention. The outer ends of thesaid perforated tubes are suppliedwith preferably cup-shaped mouths Zwith or without a neck m, which may be formed in one piece with said tubes, or separate therefrom, and which form entrances for the liquid. Said mouths Z are countersunk at 'n in the wall of the box which is recessed therefor so that their edges may not project beyond said wall.

In the modification shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the moistening device B is formed of a strip of metal 0 folded upon itself, one flap of said strip of metal being provided with perforations, and thereby serving the same purpose as the perforated sheet I) of my preferred construction, said perforated flap being indicated by the same letter of reference. As the edges of said folded strip 0 coincide, said edges are closed by means of strips of wood 19, or their equivalent, which strips are inserted between the edges of the folded strip 0, and secured thereto in any suitable manner, thereby closing the openings at said edges and forming a receptacle or moistening device of a similar character to that shown in the other figures. Apertures q are formed through the strips of wood 19 at the sides-to permit of the insertion of the tube 10. This modified form of receptacle is also adapted to contain the several sheets of blotting paper 01 efg as in the preferred form.

In the use of my invention,'as will be readily perceived, water or other moisture is introduced to the blotting or other absorbent material within the receptacle B, through the mouth Z, whence it passes into the tube 70, and thence through the perforations in said tube the moisture soaks into the blotting or other surrounding absorbent material. The proper amount of moisture for charging the absorbent material can be readily ascertained, so thatthere be no surplus to pour through the perforations in sheet 19 into the box. I prefer to'employ two perforated tubes 70, one at either end of the moistening device, as by this means I insure a more uniform saturation of the absorbent material.

Any desired perfume may be substituted for water with which to saturate the absorbent material, and by this means a smoker may impart to his cigars any perfume he most fancies.

The moistening device B is placed within the box in any known manner and in any suitable position, and may be either secured permanently therein or rendered removable. When. removable within the box said device may, if desired, be removed for immersion in a bath in order to saturate the absorbent material by this means, instead of by pouring liquid through the mouths Z.

Although shown only in connection with an ordinary cigar box my said invention may be applied equally well with show cases for containing cigars or tobacco, and also for tobacco boxes and pocket cigar cases, sample trunks, &c. Similarly I do not limit myself to the particular kind of absorbent material shown, as I may equally well use sawdust, or any other material capable of saturation. I do not Wish to limit myself to the material or the exact construction of moistening device shown as it is obvious that the parts may be varied to perform the same functions without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having now described my invention, I declare that what I claim is 1. The combination with a cigar box, or the like, having an opening in its wall, of a moistening or perfuming device within said box, absorbent material within said device, and a perforated tube arranged within said absorbent material to convey moisture thereto, one end of said tube being located in. said opening in the wall of the box, substantially as set forth.

2. A moistening or perfuming device comprising a sheet of metal having its edges fold: ed over, a perforated strip held within said folded edges, several sheets of blotting paper betweensaid sheet of metal and perforated strip, the two outer blotters being intact, and the inner blotters cut,'as shown, perforated tubes contained within the recesses formed in said inner blotters,and cup-shaped months for said tubes, substantially as and for the purposes shown and described.

3. In combination, a cigar box having an opening in its Wall, a moistening or perfuming device within said box, a perforated tube within said device, and a mouth piece for said tube, said tube and mouth piece communicating with each other through said opening, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 13th day of EMANUEL A. RICH.

September, 1893.

WVitnesses:

CLYDE O. BALsToN, E. E. MEAREs- 

